The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-10-27
From the Republican.
A GRAND RALLY.

worth Addressed by ex.GOvernOI
Anthony.
The Young Republicans of Leaven.
worth held a grand rally last Friday
evening, and after parading through
the streets in a procession numbering
about 1000 voters, repaired to Odd
Fellows Hall, which had been brilliant
ly Illuminated for the occasion, and
listened to the following stirring ad-
dress by Ex-Governor George T. An
thony:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITI-
zENs:-You have assembled here for
the purpose of organizing q Young
Mems Republican Club. It is fitting
thing to stand at the open door OF this
undertaking to carefully search for
the reasons which are to justify you in
entering it. 1t speaks well Of your
prudence, your wisdom and your pa
triotism to do this in the deliberate
manner you have chosen.
To have been invited by such body
of thoughtful, patriotic young men
to address them upon the subject of
their political duties. on such an occa-
sion, is an exceptional honor for which
it is my first duty, and greatest pleas
ure TO thank you. Let me say also,
that am not less grateful to you for
the invitation than for the wise and
practical limit you have fixed for the
arena OF discussion. You ask me to
tell you ''why young man should be q
Republican" and to this task pledge
you a faithful, fearless endeavor.
The vital question of party organiza-
ton and party obligation has COM
manded far too little of our thought
and attention Indeed they have not
nnlu haan froafaH lfnhfIu hat n
ridicule and contempt. Men to whom
we look for wisdom, unthinkingly talk
of party bondage" and covering
obedience to the party lash"
Let me, right here, declare in your
ears what believe to be a fundament-
al truth, that in Republican Govern
ment party is country, and he who is
wavering and untrue to the one Is I'M
faithful and unworthy of the other.
The crucial test of intelligence and
loyalty in the enfranchised citizen is to
be found in his political party rela-
tions. 1t is no tritiing thing for US to
determine what party shall command
our allegiance, nor can obligations to
party when chosen be held as an idle
pleasure. They at once rise to the
dignity of a responsible duty.
The genius of Republican Govern
ment vests all political power in the
ITO ID 10
determine who is to exercise this
power, as representatives of the people,
in the halls of legislation and the fields
of administration. The citizen is
sovereign, and majority monarch, in
our country; and no man possessing
the right of franchise can excuse him
self for the misuse or non-use of his
ballot, nor can he question the tenure
of majority power without faint of
treason.
1 need not pursue this line of
thought further to convince any of you
that party is not a mere incident, but
prime necessity. Cooperation at the
ballot-boX is our first law, fealty to
party "a paramount obligation. Politi-
cal issues joined by parties in peace are
not less distinct and important than
those dividing armies in war. One is
a contest in the forum of reason, the
other conflict in the arena of force;
and in each case, to be national in
character and extent, they must in
volve the policies, the dOgmas, and the
doctrines of the Govern
ment itself, to justify existence.
There never has been, there never |
can be but two national political par
ties in this country. Names may be
changed, policies modified, receptions
reSorted to, and DISCUSSES attempted,
but identity cannot be lost nor prin-
ciples and purposes changed.
One of these parties will be loyal to
the doctrines of free, popular govern
ment. 1t will maintain the equality of
men and will defend them in the
possession of every right. 1t will
foster education ana sustain labor, to
the end that the Government be made
strong in the body Of its people:-The
The other will he dislovaJ IT. will
deny equality and disregard the rights
of men. 1t will oppose popular educa-
ton and seek to degrade labor. 1t will
be the defender of oppression and the
nursery of treason:-The Democratic
party.
Misguided zeal and impaired judg-
ment may attempt the organization Of
third parties in the interest of some
specific end of imaginary of real value.
But all such are abnormal. ephemeral,
and bear no fruits except those of
practical observation-disclosures pos
sible public disasters, and certain per-
sonal disappointment. Ambition
blightful, malice-inspired men may at
tempt the organization of political
''banditti'' under the false title of Sin
dependent voters" A sort of political
mule without pride of ancestry or
hope of posterity,n and never happy
when not kicking" All such pass
soon away, as passion dies at the touch
of reason.
But the young man of to-day will
neither waste his energies on third
party, nor spend his strength as a
political Ishmaelite. He will become a
loving, effective. political entity, as
member or one OF the two great nation
al parties-the Republican or the
Democratic.
And now, Mr.. President. we stand
face to face with a painful dilemma.
1t has been made plain, think, that
there are but two parties between
which to choose, and you have COM
missioned me to set out the reasons
why young man should choose the Re-
publican.
How can do this unless permitted
to recall and consult the word of party
history and action. How can bring
you intelligent, convincing reasons for
such a choice, without unfolding the
awful record of the Democratic party
in forum and field, and this,
you know, is not in the in
terest of peace, in harmony with this
'gush PERIOD of our political exis-
tence. l shall be ridiculed for ''way-
ing the bloody Shirt" condemned as a
''marplot,'' seeking to spread discord
by 'reviving the animosities of the
war" and recalling the dead past'' to
torment the living present.
You, sir, and the young
signed me to the post 1 occupy
and may be held indirectly at least.
responsible for my utterances, and vet
must speak the truth, leaving resElts
to care for themselves. II il draws too
heavy fire upon you from the enemy
you may tell them that you would not
have pointed me that way il Won HAD
known / was loaded.''
The Republican party was born of a
national necessity and inherited every
feature of country-love, every form Of
reedom-worship, all characteristics of
abiding conviction and the combined
elements of forcefuluess which had
Heretofore been an unorganized force
contending for the right against the
wrong, for Republicanism and freedom
against Democracy and slavery.
it found the country, under a long
continued Democratic misrule. at the
verge of ruin. The national credit
was less than that of the average
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